Honeys Of Different Botanical Origin Research Articles

Antibacterial Effect of Spanish Honeys of Different Botanical Origins against Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Honey is traditionally used for its medicinal properties attributed to its antibacterial and antioxidant effects. It is considered a natural alternative to conventional antibiotics. This effect has been attributed to their physico-chemical properties, as various chemical parameters can synergistically influence this effect. The aim of this study is to assess Spanish honeys of diverse botanical origins for their antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus epidermidis, correlating their physico-chemical attributes, (poly)phenol content, and antioxidant activity. The methods included colour determination via two methodologies, acidity, pH, moisture content, and sugar concentration. (Poly)phenol content was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteau method, while antioxidant activity was evaluated via the FRAP method. Subsequently, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against S. epidermidis were investigated with different concentrations of honeys. The results revealed a direct relationship between honey darkness, (poly)phenol concentration, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial efficacy. Darker honeys exhibited higher (poly)phenol levels, greater antioxidant activity, and consequently, lower MIC and MBC values, showing enhanced antibacterial properties. These findings underscore the potential of honey as a therapeutic agent against S. epidermidis, particularly in wound healing applications to avoid infection. Further research into honey's multifaceted properties is warranted to unveil novel therapeutic avenues in healthcare.

Characterization of Botanical Origin of Italian Honey by Carbohydrate Composition and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Honey is a natural sweetener constituted by numerous macro- and micronutrients. Carbohydrates are the most representative, with glucose and fructose being the most abundant. Minor honey components like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), minerals, vitamins, amino acids are able to confer honey-specific properties and are useful to characterize and differentiate between honey varieties according to the botanical origin. The present work describes the chemical characterization of honeys of different botanical origin (multifloral, acacia, apple–dandelion, rhododendron, honeydew, and chestnut) produced and collected by beekeepers in the Trentino Alto-Adige region (Italy). Melissopalynological analysis was conducted to verify the botanical origin of samples and determine the frequency of different pollen families. The carbohydrate composition (fourteen sugars) and the profile of VOCs were evaluated permitting to investigate the relationship between pollen composition and the chemical profile of honey. Statistical analysis, particularly partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), demonstrates the importance of classifying honey botanical origin on the basis of effective pollen composition, which directly influences honey’s biochemistry, in order to correctly define properties and value of honeys.

Characterization of unifloral Italian (Piedmont region) honeys by headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

AbstractBackgroundThe characterization of five different types of Italian unifloral honeys was performed by means of headspace solid‐phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The main volatile compounds of the honeys were identified and semi‐quantified. Pattern recognition methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and k‐nearest neighbors (k‐NN) were performed to classify honey samples with different botanical origins, and identify the most discriminating parameters.ResultsMore than 100 of compounds were unambiguously identified in the honeys sampled. Methyl salicylate was present in honeydew honeys only, and this permitted to differentiate this kind of honeys from the others. Dandelion honeys featured high levels of nitriles, while lime tree honeys displayed the presence of carvacrol and of the terpenes cis and trans‐p‐mentha‐2,8‐dien‐1‐ol. Acacia honeys did not display potential chemical markers but were characterized by low levels of benzaldehyde and high levels of cis‐linalool oxide. Chestnut and rhododendron honeys did not show a volatile profile markedly different from those of other honeys. Application of PCA and k‐NN methods did not allow a complete classification of honeys of different botanical origin on the basis of their volatile profile.ConclusionUnifloral honeys from Piedmont (Italy) displays a rich and variegate profile of volatile compounds, some of which are candidates as markers. Nonetheless, to classify honeys, further studies are necessary likely comprising a larger set of samples and the determination of different chemical parameters in conjunction with volatile compounds.

Electrochemical Determination of the "Furanic Index" in Honey.

5-(hydroxymethyl)furan-2-carbaldehyde, better known as hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), is a well-known freshness parameter of honey: although mostly absent in fresh samples, its concentration tends to increase naturally with aging. However, high quantities of HMF are also found in fresh but adulterated samples or honey subjected to thermal or photochemical stresses. In addition, HMF deserves further consideration due to its potential toxic effects on human health. The processes at the origin of HMF formation in honey and in other foods, containing saccharides and proteins—mainly non-enzymatic browning reactions—can also produce other furanic compounds. Among others, 2-furaldehyde (2F) and 2-furoic acid (2FA) are the most abundant in honey, but also their isomers (i.e., 3-furaldehyde, 3F, and 3-furoic acid, 3FA) have been found in it, although in small quantities. A preliminary characterization of HMF, 2F, 2FA, 3F, and 3FA by cyclic voltammetry (CV) led to hypothesizing the possibility of a comprehensive quantitative determination of all these compounds using a simple and accurate square wave voltammetry (SWV) method. Therefore, a new parameter able to provide indications on quality of honey, named “Furanic Index” (FI), was proposed in this contribution, which is based on the simultaneous reduction of all analytes on an Hg electrode to ca. −1.50 V vs. Saturated Calomel Electrode (SCE). The proposed method, validated, and tested on 10 samples of honeys of different botanical origin and age, is fast and accurate, and, in the case of strawberry tree honey (Arbutus unedo), it highlighted the contribution to the FI of the homogentisic acid (HA), i.e., the chemical marker of the floral origin of this honey, which was quantitatively reduced in the working conditions. Excellent agreement between the SWV and Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) data was observed in all samples considered.

High-Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD) and Chemometrics for Geographical and Floral Authentication of Honeys from Southern Italy (Calabria region).

High-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC–PAD) combined with chemometric analysis was developed to describe, for the first time, the sugar profile of sixty-one honeys of different botanical origin produced in southern Italy (Calabria Region). The principal component and linear discriminant analysis used to describe the variability of sugar data were able to discriminate the honeys according to their botanical origin with a correlation index higher than 90%. For the purpose of the robustness of the conclusions of this study, the analytical advantages of the HPAEC–PAD method have been statistically demonstrated compared to the official Italian HPLC–RI method (Refractive Index detection). Finally, as the characterization of the floral and geographical origin of honey became an important issue due to high consumer demand, 13 acacia honeys originating from Europe and China were studied by using the same method. By chemometric method it was possible to discriminate the different geographical origin with an index of 100%. All results proved the possibility to identify the sugar profile obtained by HPAEC–PAD combined with a robust statistical analysis, as a tool of authentication.

Honey exposed to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for chaos-based botanical classification and fraud assessment

Given that honey is among the top ten foods with the highest adulteration rate in the European Union, in this research, a tool has been developed to tackle this malpractice. The combination of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and chaotic parameters has been employed to classify six European honeys of different botanical origins as well as detect samples containing the usually elusive rice syrup adulteration in weight concentrations as low as 2%.The profiles of the LIBS emission spectra can be used to faithfully classify honey in terms of botanical origin by combining information extracted directly from the spectra with simple linear modeling. In contrast, the detection of low amounts of rice syrup in honey is not as straightforward, which is why algorithms based on chaotic parameters such as shifted (lag-k) autocorrelation coefficients were employed to extract underlying information representative of adulterated samples. Since these algorithms are capable of detecting slight changes in the composition of honeys, it has been possible to identify these adulterations with a success rate greater than 90% when samples from honeys of different botanical origins are combined into the same model, and over 95% when individual honey types are analyzed.

Evaluation of honey in terms of quality and authenticity based on the general physicochemical pattern, major sugar composition and δ13C signature

Ensuring the authenticity of honey remains a top issue for scientists, since no reliable method has been developed so far to simultaneously detect all types of honey adulteration. Consequently, the development of simple, fast, accurate and accessible analytical tools that may provide complementary data for assessing the honey authenticity, is encouraged.In this work a complete investigation in terms of general physicochemical properties (water content, °Brix, electrical conductivity, free acidity, pH and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content), major sugar composition (fructose, glucose, sucrose and maltose) and δ13C signature of honeys from beekeepers and commercial honeys of different botanical origin (acacia, polyfloral, honeydew, sunflower, rape and linden) and various industrial syrup adulterants was performed. The aim was to generate reliable information in the process of honey evaluation linked with compliance or not with the quality standards, detecting additions of C4 plants sugar syrups (e.g. cane and corn) and confirming the botanical origin.Multivariate statistical methods, such as hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied as exploratory methods in order to examine the possible grouping of samples according to their quality. Correlations between the analyzed parameters were also performed.Stable carbon isotope ratio analysis (SCIRA) based on achieving the differences between the δ13C values in honey and its extracted protein fraction, allows to estimate the degree of adulteration of honeys with sugar syrups produced from C4 plant sources (corn and cane), while the general physicochemical parameters, major sugar composition and HMF content represents important tracers for honey quality control appreciation. Present results showed that parameters like δ13C values of protein extracted from honey, glucose content, ratio between fructose and glucose, and electrical conductivity were significantly different, depending on the botanical origin of honeys.

Element content in ten Croatian honey types from different geographical regions during three seasons

Concentrations of 20 elements were measured in ten honey types collected from four main geographical regions of Croatia during three beekeeping seasons. The four regions differ by their geography, ecology and climate. Significant differences in the element concentrations between honeys of different botanical origin were found for Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Pb and Zn (p<0.05). The highest mean concentrations of elements were found in honeys: floral Cd, Cr; acacia Mo; honeydew Al, Cu, K, Ni; chestnut Ba, Ca, Mn, Na; forest Fe, Mg; sunflower Cu; linden Pb, Co; sage Se; lacy phacelia Zn. Differences in the element content of honeys originating from the same region collected in different seasons was found for the honeys: floral Al, Ca, K, Zn; acacia Ba, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn; honeydew Cu, K, Mn, Pb; chestnut Al, Ba, Cu, K, Mn, Na, Pb; sunflower Cu; linden Ba, Ca, Mn. Also, regional differences in the element content of honeys collected within the same season was found for: floral Al, Ca, K, Mg; acacia Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn; honeydew Cu, K, Mn, Pb; sage Ba, Ca, K, Mg, Mn; chestnut Ba.

Untargeted headspace gas chromatography – Ion mobility spectrometry analysis for detection of adulterated honey

The recognized properties of honey together with its price have, almost inevitably, led to economically motivated adulteration. In this work, headspace gas chromatography coupled to ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) is proposed for the differentiation of honey according to its purity and the level of adulteration by sugar cane or corn syrups. An easy and rapid sample treatment, consisting of incubating 1 g of honey at 100 °C for 15 min and then injecting 750 μL of the sample headspace into the GC-IMS system, is proposed. A 3-dimensional data map is obtained in 32 min. The proposed method was used for the analysis of 198 honey samples (56 pure honeys of different botanical origins, 71 honeys adulterated with sugar cane syrup and 71 adulterated with corn syrup). The influence of the adulterant on variations in the honey sample spectrum was studied. In order to obtain chemometric models for the detection of adulterated honey samples, the data obtained by HS-GC-IMS were processed selecting the significant markers of the spectrum fingerprint. OPLS-DA models were constructed using 80% of the samples, and the remaining 20% were used for method validation. The differentiation between pure and adulterated honeys had a validation success of 97.4%, and the assessment of adulterant content was obtained with a 93.8% validation success rate for both adulterant agents assayed. Nine commercial honey samples were analysed using the proposed methodology, and seven of them were classified as adulterated.

Chromatographic fingerprint of the volatile fraction of rare Hedera helix honey and biomarkers identification

Hedera helix (Irish ivy) honey is a very rare food product used in Ireland. The composition of the volatile fraction of this unique honey was studied for the first time using three different extraction procedures (SPE, USE and HS–SPME) and analyzed with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. As expected, the use of combined techniques resulted in the identification of the detailed composition of honey volatiles. Identified constitutes belongs to the different chemical classes. The presence of 4(1H)-quinolinone, myrtenal and phenylacetonitrile was proposed as biomarkers of the botanical origin of ivy honey. Moreover, they are not widely widespread among honeys of different botanical origins. Additional usefulness of the HPTLC studies was documented by showing that this method allows obtaining characteristic patterns of honey fractions enabling a simple visual determination of honey authenticity.

HPTLC Fingerprinting-Rapid Method for the Differentiation of Honeys of Different Botanical Origin Based on the Composition of the Lipophilic Fractions.

Bee honey possess various nutritional and medicinal functions, which are the result of its diverse chemical composition. The numerous bioactive compounds in honey come from flower nectar; thus, the identification of the specific chemical profiles of honey samples is of great importance. The lipophilic compounds from eight monofloral honeys (rape, buckwheat, clover, willow, milk thistle, dandelion, raspberry and sweet yellow clover) were investigated. Analyses of the lipophilic fractions obtained by UAE (ultrasound assisted extraction) and SPE (solid phase extraction) extractions were performed using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Chromatographic and cluster analyses allowed the identification of a unique, colorful pattern of separated compounds with specific Rf values on the HPTLC plate for each type of monofloral honey. HPTLC is a simple and effective visual method of analysis, and it can serve as a basis for authenticating different types of honey.

Antimicrobial Potential of Sicilian Honeys Against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of 71 organic Sicilian honeys of different botanical origins against Staphylococcus aureus [American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 9144™] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853™). The antimicrobial activity was determined by means of an agar diffusion assay from the estimation of the diameter of the inhibition zone produced by the honeys. S. aureus was more inhibited than P. aeruginosa (chi-square value 11.2698, P value 0.000788). In particular, a statistically significant inhibition growth against S. aureus was exhibited by the polyfloral (chi-square value 6.1714, P value 0.012983) and the eucalyptus honeys (chi-square value 4, P value 0.0455). Results partially suggest Sicilian organic polyfloral and eucalyptus honeys as possible alternatives to antimicrobial agents when S. aureus resistance causes failure of initial conventional antibiotic treatment.

Macro-element ratios provide improved identification of the botanical origin of mono-floral honeys

Major macronutrient concentrations (K, Ca, Mg, Na, P, and S) and element ratios were determined in 140 Hungarian mono-floral honey samples (acacia, linden, sunflower, rape, chestnut, forest, silk grass, and facelia) by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). One-way ANOVA (LSD and Dunnett T3 test) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used to determine the botanical origin based on the element content and element ratio of different honey types. Analysing six element concentrations in the honeys of different botanical origin with LDA allowed the botanical origin of 96% of honeys to be predicted. Reducing the examined elements to K, Mg, and Na increased the accuracy of predictions, but it was still not possible to distinguish acacia and facelia honeys. However, examination of element ratios showed that K/Na and K/Mg ratios were able to separate every honey type from each other with 100% cross-validation. It is concluded that using macro-element ratios rather than macro-element concentrations, it is possible to precisely discriminate the floral origin of honey samples.

Botanical authentication of honeys based on Raman spectra

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of honey botanical authentication using the Raman spectroscopy. For this purpose 76 samples of honeys of different botanical origins (acacia, tilia, sunflower, polyfloral and honeydew) were purchased from local beekeepers from Suceava county, Romania. The honey samples have been characterized based on the melissopalynological analysis and electrical conductivity according to its botanical origin. The samples have been classified into acacia, tilia, sunflower, polyfloral and honeydew. The Raman spectra analysis has been proved to be an excellent tool (simple, rapid and non destructive method) for honey authentication; by the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) applied 83.33% of the honey has been correctly cross validated.

Sensory and chemical profiles of Finnish honeys of different botanical origins and consumer preferences

The sensory-chemical profiles of Finnish honeys (labeled as buckwheat, cloudberry-bog, lingonberry, sweet clover, willowherb and multifloral honeys) were investigated using a multi-analytical approach. The sensory test (untrained panel, n = 62) was based on scaling and check-all-that-apply (CATA) methods accompanied with questions on preference and usage of honey. The results were correlated with corresponding profiles of odor-active compounds, determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC–MS/O). Botanical origins and chemical compositions including sugars were evaluated using NMR spectroscopy. A total of 73 odor-active compounds were listed based on GC–O. Sweet and mild honeys with familiar sensory properties were preferred by the panelists (PCA, R2X(1) = 0.7) while buckwheat and cloudberry-bog honeys with strong odor, flavor and color were regarded as unfamiliar and unpleasant. The data will give the honey industry novel information on honey properties in relation to the botanical origin, and consumer preference.

The Protective Effect of Whole Honey and Phenolic Extract on Oxidative DNA Damage in Mice Lymphocytes Using Comet Assay.

In this study, the antioxidant activity and the protective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage were assessed for five honeys of different botanical origin. Seven phenolic acids were detected in the honey samples. Ferulic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid detected in longan honey, jujube honey and buckwheat honey. Ellagic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid were the main phenolic acids detected in vitex honey. Of all honey samples tested, the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were found in buckwheat honey, whereas the lowest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were found in locust honey. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide induced a 62% increase in tail DNA in mice lymphocytes, and all studied honeys significantly inhibited this effect (P<0.05). The buckwheat honey with higher antioxidant capability also exhibited super protective effect than others. Phenolic extracts of honey displayed greater protective effects than whole honey in comet assay. The hydrogen peroxide-generated increase in 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was effectively inhibited by the honeys studied (P<0.05). Moreover, a dose-effect relationship between honey concentration and its protective effect was clearly observed in this study. It can be deduced that phenolic acids of honey can penetrate into lymphocytes and protect DNA from oxidative damage by scavenging hydrogen peroxide and/or chelating ferrous ions.

NMR profiling clarifies the characterization of Finnish honeys of different botanical origins

The Finnish varietal honeys are valued specialty foods with unique characteristics, owing to their botanical origin. 1H NMR metabolomics was applied to examine the compositional differences and origin-related markers of naturally complex boreal honeys (buckwheat, clover, dandelion, heather, Himalayan balsam, honeydew, linden, lingonberry, multifloral). Special focus was on the metabolites in aqueous samples. Chloroform extracts of selected samples were also analyzed for additional metabolic evidence.Qualitative profiling revealed 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric, 2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoic, 3-methyl-2-oxopentanoic and 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acids as specific markers for dandelion (Taraxacum spp.) honeys. Full discrimination of buckwheat, dandelion, heather, and honeydew honeys was achieved with principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Melezitose, glucose, and fructose explained 83% of the variation in the PCA. The OPLS-DA loadings highlighted the discriminatory effect of the origin-specific non-saccharide metabolites.This study is a platform for a national honey library and analysis service. The results will facilitate and rationalize the characterization and quality control of the boreal varietal honeys.

Classification of Honey According to Geographical and Botanical Origins and Detection of Its Adulteration Using Voltammetric Electronic Tongue

Main possible honey fraud is the addition of various sugar syrups. But, there are also other types of fraud, such as deception on the geographical and/or botanical origin product. Providing a product of the hive with full authenticity is therefore crucial for the preservation of beekeeping. In this pursuit, voltammetric electronic tongue (VE-tongue) was employed to classify honey samples from different geographical and botanical origins. Furthermore, VE-tongue was used to detect adulterants such as glucose syrup (GS) and saccharose syrup (SS) in honey. The data obtained were analyzed by three-pattern recognition techniques: principal component analysis (PCA), support vector machines (SVMs), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). These methods enabled the classification of 18 honeys of different geographical origins and 7 honeys of different botanical origins. Excellent results were obtained also in the detection of adulterated honey. Therefore, this simple method based on VE-tongue could be useful in the honey packaging and commercialization industry.

Identification of Traceability Markers in Italian Unifloral Honeys of different Botanical Origin

In this study we carried out the analysis of three varieties of unifloral honey of acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), chestnut (Castanea sativa) and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), in order to assess physicochemical and biochemical parameters, nutraucetical properties and antioxidant capacities. The three different varieties of unifloral honey showed clear differences in some parameters, such as the concentration of polyphenols, flavonoids, mineral elements, as well as different profiles of volatile molecules. These parameters allow differentiating the three varieties of unifloral honey investigated. The different concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids, the profile of volatile compounds and the presence of different concentration of some mineral elements allow discriminating different varieties of honey, and could be used as markers of product traceability. Moreover, the high concentration of some macro elements such as potassium, remarkably high in the chestnut honey, makes it especially useful in individuals with deficiency of these mineral or practicing sports.

Physicochemical Properties of Honey from Marche, Central Italy: Classification of Unifloral and Multifloral Honeys by Multivariate Analysis

The purpose of this study was the physicochemical characterization and classification of Italian honey from Marche Region with a chemometric approach. A total of 135 honeys of different botanical origins [acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), chestnut (Castanea sativa), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), lime (Tilia spp.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), Metcalfa honeydew and multifloral honey] were considered. The average results of electrical conductivity (0.14-1.45 mS cm(-1)), pH (3.89-5.42), free acidity (10.9-39.0 meq(NaOH) kg(-1)), lactones (2.4-4.5 meq(NaOH) kg(-1)), total acidity (14.5-40.9 meq(NaOH) kg(-1)), proline (229-665 mg kg(-1)) and 5-(hydroxy-methyl)-2-furaldehyde (0.6-3.9 mg kg(-1)) content show wide variability among the analysed honey types, with statistically significant differences between the different honey types. Pattern recognition methods such as principal component analysis and discriminant analysis were performed in order to find a relationship between variables and types of honey and to classify honey on the basis of its physicochemical properties. The variables of electrical conductivity, acidity (free, lactones), pH and proline content exhibited higher discriminant power and provided enough information for the classification and distinction of unifloral honey types, but not for the classification of multifloral honey (100% and 85% of samples correctly classified, respectively).